The effect of improving communication competency on the certifying examination of the American board of surgery

Rowland-Morin, Pamela A; Coe, Nicholas P; Greenburg, A.Gerson; Spence, Richard K; Reed, William P; Lang, Nicholas P; Sadighi, Parvis J; Burchard, Kenneth W

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 183, Issue 6 , Pages 655-658, June 2002

The effect of improving communication competency on the certifying examination of the American board of surgery

Pamela A Rowland-Morin, Ph.D.
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-603-650-7400; fax: 603-650-6061
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
Nicholas P Coe, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, Tufts University Medical School, Springfield, MA, USA
A.Gerson Greenburg, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI, USA
Richard K Spence, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, Birmingham Baptist Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
William P Reed, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, State University of New York Medical School, Mineola, NY, USA
Nicholas P Lang, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas Medical School, Little Rock, AK, USA
Parvis J Sadighi, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Pittsfield, MA, USA
Kenneth W Burchard, M.D.
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756, USA

Received 31 July 2001; received in revised form 23 October 2001

Abstract

Background: Since 1991 the authors have offered a course that identifies content deficits, but only provides instruction directed at improving verbal and nonverbal behaviors. We report the outcome of this 10-year effort as success on the certifying examination of the American Board of Surgery between 1991 and 2001.

Methods: Sixteen 5-day courses were scheduled over 10 years. Participants included those who had not taken the oral examination or had failed at least once and invited senior faculty (n = 26). Sites were chosen to replicate the actual examination setting.

Results: There were 122 participants, with follow-up data available on 88. Success in the certifying examination after completing the course is 96 percent.

Conclusions: Evaluation of communication deficits and training to improve them is strongly associated with success. Clearly, this course is effective at identifying communication behaviors that are interfering with success on the certifying examination of the American Board of Surgery

Keywords: Oral examinations, Certification, Communication skills, Professional behavior